Last evening I attended Larry Rice’s “Night with the Homeless” rally inside The New Life Evangelistic Center located exactly two blocks East of my downtown loft on Locust. In the coming days I’ll do a more complete report. With some exceptions Rice’s words were intended to paint the loft dwellers as newcomers hellbent on pushing out the homeless.
Signs wrapped on trees is an effective activist strategy. The message, however, is meant to make the dog owner feel like by using the park they are driving out the homeless.
In the last month as local residents took an active roll in cleaning up deferred maintenance in Lucas Park I’ve seen so much more positive interaction between residents & resident homeless. I’ve become engaged in the struggle to the point where I’m doing what I can to understand the situation these people are in and to help in any way I can to get a few out of being homeless.
Although I knew this before I hadn’t really experienced it — much of the homeless population is just like you or me but without shelter. Last night KMOV’s Robin Smith said a very true statement – -“Most of us are one paycheck away from being homeless.” Sad but true and with our current economy things may only get worse.
To me dogs are like kids — I don’t have one but in small doses I like other people’s. Dogs can be a way to unite people. I’ve seen homeless & dog owners talking about the breeds and so on. Granted,some of the dog owners need to learn to pick up after their dogs. Earlier this week Larry Rice was seen in Lucas Park with a photographer picking up dog doo. Photo taken and he is gone. The rest of us have spent hours in the park cleaning up green mud from under benches after spending more hours assessing the issues in the park and where we could make a difference. We’ve addressed maintenance issues long ignored by both the city & Rice.
Rice, I believe, doesn’t want residents & the homeless to have positive interaction as that will break down the wall he is trying to build between us. I see dogs & the park as a means of increasing discussion & understanding on all sides.
Last night I joined the homeless at the dinner service at Centenary Church located a block south of my place. This was an unplanned visit.
My homeless friend, that I met 3 weeks ago at Lucas Park, stores his extra clothes at the Horizon Club at 23rd & Olive. However last night the facility was going to be closed for 24 hours for cleaning so all stored possessions had to be removed or they would be tossed. Several days ago I had agreed to store his items in the trunk of my car until Wednesday when he could return the items to his locker.
Entry door to the Horizon Club, 202 23rd Street
The Horizon Club opened last year as a “safe haven” drop-in center for 25 people at a time. It is open 24/7 except for this one day per month when it is closed for cleaning. Upon meeting my friend outside I asked if he could get me inside so I could see the facility. Several guys were waiting outside for a spot to open up inside. We got buzzed into a small lobby area where 5-6 more people were waiting. He got buzzed into the main space and then he went and checked with the staff to get permission to let me in.
The place has a large room to the left of the front door. Next to the staff desk is two computers connected to the internet – both were in use. There are various chairs, more computers with games and a TV area. Back near the entry are two bathrooms, each with a shower. To the far right is the locker room. A staff person must be present to let someone into that area. Again, the place was at capacity around 3:45pm with another 10 waiting to get in.
So after we filled my trunk with my friend’s worldly goods I asked if he needed a ride anywhere. He was headed to Centenary Church, down the street between 16th & 17th. When I pulled into the parking lot my first thought was just to drop him off and head back home for dinner. But then I thought what better time than the present to expand my understanding of homeless services.
No getting buzzed in here but the guard did “wand” us. Last year I spent a Saturday morning with my friend Robert Lipscomb serving breakfast at Christ Church Cathedral at 13th & Locust. Centenary’s space is substantially bigger, perhaps 10 times as much. I talked to a woman I had met at Lucas Park, she was at a table drawing. My friend and I sat and started chatting. Dinner service was to start at 5pm. About 4:30pm a volunteer began passing out numbers to those that are seated. I didn’t take one because it just didn’t seem right for me to eat their food.
A few rows over I spotted a guy that looked new. My friend confirmed as much. He was young, maybe early 20s. His white sneakers were still white. He wasn’t socializing with others and he had a sorta scared look on his face.
A guy joined us at our table. He looked familiar. He recognized me from the Lucas Park cleanups. Hard to blend in with a shaved head and a bright orange wheelchair I guess. We three talked about the petition circulated by Andy Mortello to shut down Larry Rice’s New Life Evangelistic Center. Andy is among the group of neighbors that has been working in the park. The new guy, Keith, indicated the guys staying up late and drinking in the park were not guests at Rice’s NLEC. Makes sense since those staying in the shelter must check-in by 5pm. I explained that I understood that not all homeless are the same. I also had to explain that not all residents were the same — we don’t all call the police or the health dept about drinking in the park or mass feedings. He had misconceptions about us and lumped us all together as the same. We do the same by lumping all the homeless into one big group. He works but just doesn’t make enough to get off the street yet.
We just want to cut down on things like public urination. Sunday I was coming home from the Taste of St Louis event. I was in the wheelchair on Locust at 15th — a block from my place. I was in front of the Campbell House Museum. Looking West toward the YMCA I could not believe my eyes – – a buck naked man on the sidewalk in the middle of the day! As a gay man I’m not adverse to such a sight but just not on the sidewalk mid-day. The man was changing clothes and I spotted him mid process. It wasn’t like he was trying to hide his business.
Back to Centenary.
At 5pm they began calling numbers in groups of 10 to get in line. My friends number was 62. Looked like a good meal, certainly better than a few I had in the hospital earlier this year. I indicated I’d have a tough time since I’m vegetarian. He said one woman who was often there was a vegan and they usually tried to accommodate her. He had a big slice of ham — not my thing. But the potatoes & green beans looked good! Hmmm, perhaps I should have taken a number….
I learned that numerous groups, often church groups, help Centenary with the meals which are served during the week (breakfast M-F, lunch M-F, dinner Sunday-Thursday). Last night they served dinner to about 150 individuals. Same is true for the other places that serve hot meals like St Peter & Paul in Soulard. I love that people donate their time & money to help feed others but it would be great if more of them would work in concert with churches like Centenary or St Peter & Paul.
I think one of the problems might be knowing where or how to help. Most people in the region know they’ll find homeless at Lucas Park so that is where they come trying to help. The problem with that is the park is my neighborhood park. Food debris attracts rodents. By all means I don’t want to discourage those that want to help.
While at Centenary my friend grabbed a resource sheet that is used to help the homeless know where to get a meal, clothes, a bunk for the night and so on. Even though I was in a Methodist Church they were gladly handing out this brochure created by Catholic Charities. Cooperation.
So in that spirit I scanned the brochure for all to view.
For more information on how to contribute to the solution:
So while I didn’t get a tray of food at Centenary, I did get something that will last much longer, new friends and a better understanding of their current situation.
Update 9/30/08 @ 11am – uploaded more clear version of the services brochure.
October 22, 2007MediaComments Off on Tune Into KDHX (88.1FM) Tonight at 7pm
I’ll be a guest on tonight’s Collateral Damage program with hosts DJ Wilson and Fred Hessel. Discussion topics will include Larry Rice’s Energy Center and yesterday’s rally at City Hall. No radio? No problem — you can tune in online.
Yesterday’s meeting on the conditional use application for the Energy Center to be operated by the New Life Evangelistic Center was interesting to say the least. To clarify, it was only about the zoning for the use of the former florist shop & greenhouse.
Larry Rice spoke on behalf of his plan for the property, calling for “healing” between the white and black communities in St. Louis. He commented that at last week’s informational meeting there was not a black person in the room (true) — implying this is some sort of white bias I guess. Interestingly, the first person to speak against the energy center was a black homeowner that lives across the street from the property in question.
Rice, at one point, indicated the property looked better than it did a year ago. This is certainly true, I’ve known the place since 1994 and it has never looked better.  Rice said the neighbors loved the improvements they had made, that they had cut down high weeds and fixed broken greenhouse glass that was inherited from the previous owner. But Rice only bought the property in July of this year — after improvements had been made and grass cut. The previous owner, Susan Jansen, is one of his supporters and she was seated in the row behind him. His remark confirmed my suspicion — Rice bought the property last November but in Jansen’s name rather than New Life Evangelistic Center. He views the previous owner as the one Jansen purchased it from.
A Post-Dispatch story posted yesterday following the meeting with a headline “Residents mad about Rice’ center” included this near the end:
After the hearing, Rice said he was dismayed at his opponents’ anger that’s built up over the last month.
“I’m sensing a hostility directed at homeless people I haven’t seen in 35 years,” said Rice. “I grieve over the bitterness and fear I’m seeing in south St. Louis.”
Today the online version drops the above. The new headline is “Rev. Rice gets hammered by Dutchtown residents at hearing.” New in this version is:
The property includes a former flower shop with a greenhouse and the house next door. Rice bought them over the summer for $216,000.
Rice said if he doesn’t get the permits, he’ll appeal the city’s decision. He said if his appeal fails, “we’ll use it as transitional housing or low-income housing.”
Terrell Eiland, a zoning specialist with the St. Louis department of public safety who chaired the hearing, said that Rice would need another permit to operate the property as a residence for multiple people.
Again, just to clarify the property that was under consideration for a conditional use permit yesterday was only the storefront and greenhouse — not the old frame house and open land. Ironically Rice has said numerous times that you can’t house people in a greenhouse — it is too hot. Certainly a logical statement. So would he invest additional money to raze the storefront and greenhouse to build some sort of group home? Doubtful.
Following the meeting Ald. Kirner asked me how everyone did. I agreed that everyone, including her, did a good job. I thanked her for withdrawing her prior support. Still, I don’t think even Larry Rice should be subjected to our changes with the wind form of approval/non-approval from our elected officials. This is not to say that Kirner should support the project because she earlier expressed support. But while claiming that she must listing to constituents now, why weren’t they consulted before? Conditional use zoning for any business that brings in large quantities of people to a residential block is something that at least the owners on that block need to be consulted on before approval is given.
A question that remains for me is if the city will allow him to operate his “energy fair” that he has already scheduled for October 27th from 10am to 2pm? This is probably a question for our new public safety director, Charles Bryson. Maybe it should go on — it would make an interesting backdrop for a protest along the public sidewalk in front of his property.
This post is regarding the conditional use hearing for Larry Rice’s Energy Center in the Dutchtown Neighborhood (see prior post). I’m blogging from the meeting as it is underway. Updates will be added below in reverse order (oldest at the bottom).
10:10am: People are still talking outside the hearing room, reporters were getting quotes. I’m signing off now for a couple more meetings — I’ll have more later today.
9:55am: Post meeting notes. The opposition was strong. We all signed a sheet that we were hear to speak against the conditional use so it could be submitted since we were not all able to speak. The conditional use was only on the storefront & greenhouse — not the full property.
9:40am: Testimony is concluded. A decision will be reached later with the answer being mailed out.
9:33am: Ald Kirner withdrew her prior support.
9:31am: Only five people have been allowed to speak. The city’s staff person indicated that no further testimony will be taken. Many took off work to come to the meeting but they will not be heard. Ald. Kirner gets the last word before Rice.
9:26am:Downtown Dutchtown president Caya Aufiero spoke in opposition. I’ll provide a copy of their well-worded later.
9:21am: One person spoke in favor the energy center. Opposition is now beginning testimony starting with a neighbor across the street.
9:19am: City staff person raises issue about Rice’s sign for the business which has already been posted. He asks Rice if he has applied for a sign permit. Rice indicates he has not applied for a sign permit.
9:15am: Larry Rice indicates he has traveled all over the country taking classes on alternative energy. Has taken “8 courses” at the Solar Energy Institute.
9:10am: Larry Rice is now presenting his case.
9:05am: Representatives of both the Mayor’s office and the President of the Board of Aldermen are among the audience.
8:50am: Hearing is underway with other items on the agenda. The room is not full but there are more people here in opposition than in favor. Alderman Kirner is sitting among those opposed. The process is one person from the city asking questions of the applicant, the proceedings are audio recorded. Following the applicant there is a chance for anyone else supporting the application to speak. Then opposition gets to have a say. The applicant and one person from the opposition can speak briefly to close. The interesting thing is the opposition is not a collective group but simply a bunch a individual home owners — not sure how one person will be selected. More as it develops.
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